Conservation official blasted after boasting of killing an elephant

BOAST: German conservation official Udo Wedekind posed with the corpse of the elephant he shot dead [CEN]

German official Udo Wedekind, who also deals with environmental protection as part of his work, shot the animal during a hunting trip in Botswana last year - just before the African country banned elephant hunting by wealthy foreigners.

Shame-faced Wedekind boasted alongside the sick picture: "From trunk to tail the elephant was 7.24 meters long. I'd estimate he weighed in at about 3 tonnes."

Delighted with his kill, he added: "The hunt was tough, it was 37 degrees C in the shade, and was really humid.

"There was also thick bush, making the going tough. It was really a challenge.

"I'm so happy that it ended with a real hunting victory."

HAPPY: Wedekind said he was delighted with his kill [CEN]

“I'm so happy that it ended with a real hunting victory”

Udo Wedekind

Wedekind was in the last group allowed to shoot elephants before the ban came into force in December last year.

German officials held a conference on deciding how best to protect elephants at the same time as Wedekind was on the hunt.

Despite calls for him to be resigned or sack, Wedekind is still in his job.

Regional government environment Minister in Thueringen, Juergen Reinholz, said: "It is not of interest what civil servants do in their free time as long as they follow the law and don't break the rules."